small divergence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small divergence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a minor difference or deviation from a standard, norm, or expected outcome. Example: "The study revealed a small divergence in the results between the two groups, indicating a need for further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

This small divergence indicates that the two lines split off from each other about 270,000 to 440,000 years ago.

The New York Times - Science

From subsequent analyses, it has been determined that >80% of the extracted power could be funneled into a small divergence angle of 30°.

Optics Communications

The nanoparticle optical antenna arrays are optimized to achieve the high directivity and the small divergence by using of Helmholtz's reciprocity theorem.

Optics Communications

Again, only a small divergence between the analytical and simulative solutions is noticeable.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Obviously the company's success there warmed the frozen hearts of our state's Liquor Control Board and allowed this small divergence from the status quo.

TechCrunch

In conclusion, we report a high power and small divergence substrate emitting centered rectangular photonic-crystal quantum cascade laser.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

But these were small divergences in what was largely a uniform set of characteristics.

The New York Times - Food

What's interesting is not the imitation but the small divergences.

The New York Times - Arts

Creating a basket of currencies to price oil against would also be problematic as the value of its constituents would swing, and reweighting would be a constant exercise, creating "arbitrage," where traders could profit from small divergences in exchange rates.

The New York Times

Owl-eyed Harry Potter scholars will spot small divergences from the book even at the outset, when Harry bids farewell to his hateful relatives, the Dursleys (a moment of sympathy from Dudley, Harry's cousin, was cut from the film), and when Hermione, heartbreakingly, protects her parents by casting a spell that erases herself from their memories.

The New York Times

The reason for normalising is that the IRFs are calculated on one standard deviation shocks and may deliver small divergences from unity.

SERIEs

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small divergence" when you want to convey that the difference is present, but not necessarily impactful on the larger picture.

Common error

Avoid using "small divergence" to describe differences that have significant implications. If the deviation, however small, leads to substantial consequences, opt for language that reflects the real impact, rather than downplaying it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small divergence" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "small" modifies the noun "divergence". This construction commonly describes a minor deviation or difference. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small divergence" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing minor differences or deviations. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is most frequently found in scientific contexts, but also appears in news and formal writing. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the difference you're describing is genuinely small and that using the word "small" isn't understating something that may have significant consequences. Alternative phrases, such as "slight difference" or "minor variation", can be used for a similar effect. Be mindful of overstating the significance of differences and consider quantifying the "small divergence" with precise data where possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight difference

Replaces "divergence" with "difference" emphasizing the distinction itself.

minor variation

Substitutes "divergence" with "variation", focusing on the aspect of change or fluctuation.

negligible deviation

Replaces both "small" and "divergence" to highlight how insignificant the change is.

tiny discrepancy

Emphasizes the difference as an inconsistency.

marginal difference

Highlights the difference as being at the margin or edge of significance.

modest alteration

Replaces divergence with a more direct indication of change.

subtle distinction

Highlights that the difference is not immediately obvious.

limited disagreement

Highlights a small difference specifically in opinion or consensus.

contained variance

Refers to a situation where the divergence is kept within certain limits.

controlled deviation

Implies that the divergence is not only small, but intentionally monitored.

FAQs

How can I use "small divergence" in a sentence?

You can use "small divergence" to indicate a minor difference or deviation from a norm. For instance, "The study revealed a "small divergence" in test scores between the two groups".

What's a good substitute for the phrase "small divergence"?

Alternatives include "slight difference", "minor variation", or "negligible deviation", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "small divergence" in formal writing?

Yes, "small divergence" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific or technical contexts where precise language is required. However, ensure the degree of difference is genuinely small.

What's the difference between "small divergence" and "significant difference"?

"Small divergence" indicates a minimal difference that may not have major implications. "Significant difference", on the other hand, implies a substantial and meaningful distinction that warrants attention or further investigation.